Container with an infolded bottom closure



A. J. SEIPLE CONTAINER WITH AN INFOLDED BOTTOM CLOSURE Filed April 2,1962 Feb. 4, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

8/?777'01? J. 65/345 BY Feb. 4, 1964 F A. J. SEIPLE 3,120,333

CONTAINER WITH AN INFOLDED BOTTOM CLOSURE Filed April 2, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 2 1;. ig: E A GEN?- Feb. 4, 1964 A. J. SEIPLE CONTAINERWITH AN INFOLDED BOTTOM CLOSURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 2, 1962LLEEA.

31%;. A I; 02/ 2a 32 ,37

INVENTOR.

HRTHUR J. SA /P45 ,aM/e 6. 7 /262 United States Patent 3,120,333CBNTAINER WTTH AN INFGLBED BGTTQM CLGSURE Arthur J. Seipie, Perryshurg,Ohio, assignor to Ex-Cell 't') Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporationof Michigan Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,239 Claims. (Cl. 229-37)This invention in general relates to paperboard container bottoms andparticularly to the infol-d bottom closure style of container.

Coated paperboard containers are being used in increasing quantities asfluid containing bottles in place of other commonly used means. Thesuccess of this new container has caused much demand for new and varioussizes. At the present time the largest size coated paperboard containerin general use holds a half gallon of fluid. As the sizes continue toincrease and use varies, certain characteristic of the container isrequired to be modified to give satisfactory service. Milk is nowshipped many miles from bottling plants and in normal transportationmethods is subjected to continuous vibrations. In many of the presentcontainers there is overhang of the main bod-y and side walls over thebottom panel members. This causes a bellows actions at the bottom of thecontainer between the bottom panels and the side walls. The bellowsaction can cause a failure of the container by the coating becomingfatigued and cracking, thus, allowing the fluid to leak out of thecontainer.

The major objective of the present invention is to provide a bottomstructure such that there is not a bellows action between the side wallsand the bottom panels.

Also, the objective of the present invention includes the provision of acontainer construction capable of accomplishing the above objectiveswith a minimum of material cost and fabricatin expense, and at the sametime being composed of simple and ruggedly formed structure which isvery reliable in application.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description and claims, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification,and which are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which likereference numerals are used to indicate like parts in various views.

FIG. 1 is a layout view of a inside surface of a container blank showingthe inventive structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container fabricated from the blankshown in PEG. 1;

H6. 3 is a side elevation of the container shown in H6. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the inside bottom structure taken onthe line 44' of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the outside bottom structure taken on the line5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is enlarged exaggerated view showing a typical corner generallyindicated as FIG. 6 in FIG. 4-;

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10' are fragmentary perspective views illustratingsequentially the various steps in forming the bottom closure of thecontainer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a flat side seamed blank made from the blank shown in FIG. 1and showing the outside surface thereof.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments have beenshown in the drawings and will be described below in considerabledetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention tolimit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions and equivalents falling within the ice spirit and scope ofthe invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring generally to the figures, we have a fla-t blank form 10' shownin FIG. 1 with a pattern of appropriate score lines and having theinside surface of the blank showing. The container is separated intothree groups by staggered score lines 11 and 12. The material abovescore line 11, as seen in FIG. 1, is the top closure, a discussion ofwhich is not necessary for disclosure of the present invention, however,a complete disclosure is given in a copending application U.S. S.N.122,571, filed July 7, 1961. The material between score lines 11 and 12,as seen in FIG. 1, is the body and comprises four panels, 13 through 16and side seam flap 17. The body group is defined on the sides by edges18 and 19 and with the panels being separated by score lines 21 through24. The material below score line 12, as :seen in FIG. 1, is the bottomclosure group and comprises major bottom closure flaps 25 and 27, firstminor bottom closure flap 26, second bottom closure flap 28 and sideseam flap 17. The bottom closure group is defined on the sides by edge18 and 19 and the fiaps are separated by the score lines 21 through 24.The major flap 25 has an extended tuck-in member 31 and major flap 27has an extended tuck-over member 32. The first minor flap 26 is flankedby trapezium fold-back members 33 and 34- and connected thereto by scorelines 35 and 36 respectively. The second minor flap 28 is flanked bytrapezium fold-back members 37 and 3h and connected thereto by scorelines 4-1 and 4'2 respectively.

To construct a container as shown in FIG. 2 from the blank in FIG. 1, aflat side seamed blank 10' is formed as viewed in FIG. 11. To form aflap side seamed blank, panel 16 and the side seam flap 17 would befolded about score line 23 until their inside surfaces contact theinside surfaces of panels 15 and 14 respectively. The panel 13 would befolded about score line 21 so that its inside surface contacts theinside surface of panel 14 and the outside surface of side seam flap 17.The inside surface of panel 13 along edge 18 which will contact theoutside surface of side seam flap 17 and the outside surface of flap i7will be heated to activate their coating if coated with a heat scalablematerial or glue material may be applied to this surface so they will bebonded together.

The container blank 10' as shown in FIG. 11 is in the form in which itwill be fabricated on packaging machines, for example the unit disclosedin US. Patent No. 3,602,328 which issued October 3, 1961. To form thebottom, the container blank id is opened up into a tubular form as seenin FIG. 7. To make the bottom, the major flaps 25 and 27 are movedtowards each other. Also, the minor flaps 26 and 28 are moved towardseach other. This causes fold-back member 38 to rotate around score line24; so that the inside surfaces of member 33 and flap 25 are comingtogether. At the same time and during the same movement member 38 isrotating around score 42, thus the outside surfaces of member .38 andflap 28 are coming together. Fold-back members 33, 35, and 37 make thesame movements as member 38 with panels 2-5-26, 2726 and 27-23respectively. Bottom closure major flap 25 moves towards bottom closuremajor flap 27 just enough faster than flap '27 moves towards flap 25 sothat tuck-in member 31 is positioned between foldback members 3338 andmajor flap 25. The relative movement-s of the parts can be seen in FIGS.7 through 10. FIG. 10 shows the bottom when completely closed. if thecontainer is pie-coated with heat scalable material the bottom flaps canbe heated -to activate their coating to form a bonded surface whenjoined together. If the container is not of the pre-coated type bondingmaterial may be applied to the flap areas which meet when the bottom isformed so they will bond when they meet.

The score lines 12, 35, 36 and 12, 41, 42 on flaps 26 and 28respectively form isosceles triangles with the intersection of the scorelines 35, 3'), 41 and 42 with score line 12 a predetermined distancefrom the score lines 21, 22, 23 and 24 respectively. The triangle onfiap 2d has equal legs 35 and as with their intersection 51 on thebottom edge of the blank 10 and equal distance from the score lines 21and 22. The triangle on flap 28 has equal legs 41 and 42 with theirintersection 52 on the bottom edge 2% of the blank 10. Score li. e 41and d2 intersect score line 12 at predetermined distances from scorelines 23 and 24 respectively which are not equal. The intersection oflines 12 and 42 is further from score line 24 than the intersection oflines 12 and 4-1 is from score line 23. However, in our example, thedistance from score line 23 to the intersection of lines 12 and 41 isequal to the distances score lines 21 and 22 are from the intersectionof lines 1235 and 12-36 respectively. Therefore, the intersection 52will not be equal distance from score lines 23 and 24 but will be closerto 23 than 24. The distances from line 12 to intersections 51 and 52will be just short of half the distance between lines 22 and 23. Thepurpose of this will be explained further in the specification.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the container as it appears after being completelyconstructed. FIG. 4 shows a view of the bottom closure as seen from theinside of the container. Intersections 51 and 52, as seen in FIG. 4-,will be just touching or just short of contacting. This will requirepanels 14 and 16 to be close enough together that will not form anoverhang at score line 12 of flaps 25 and 28 respectively. This occursbecause the distances from the intersections 51 and 52 to score line 12are equal and just less than half of the distance from score lines 22-23and 21-2i as constructed. FIG. 5 shows th appearance of the bottomclosure as viewed from the outside of the container. As seen in thisview the panels 14 and 16 do not overhang the score lines 21-22 and 2324respectively. By having the intersection of the score lines and 36 withline 12 not at the intersection of score lines 21 and 22, respectively,with line 12 but a predetermined distance from their intersection, asseen in FIG. 1. The intersection of the score lines 41 and 42 with line12 will not be at the intersection of score lines 23 and 24,respectively, either, but they will be a predetermined distance fromtheir intersection, as seen in FIG. 1, and the distance for 42 will begreater than that for 41. These distances allow the flaps 26 and 28 toswing into the container when the bottom is being formed, as seen inFIGS. 7 through 10 without forcing a large amount of paper into eachcorner of the container bottom as would be the case if the score linesintersected at the same location. The intersection of score lines 42 and12 is a further distance than the other score line intersections becauseat this point more room must be allowed for the paper due to thelocation of the side seam flap 17, if the container had its side scam inthe middle of one panel section this distance could be equal to theother distances. FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the bottom cornerformed at score line 23. It can be seen how the score line 41 startstowards the center of the container just to one side of the inside bulgeof score line thus preventing the score from forcing the fiap 28 awayfrom the center of the container and in this way holding the containerpanel 16 back so it forms an overhang as to bottom closure fiaps. Thepredetermined distances of the intersection of score lines 35', 36, 41and 42 are based on the thickness of the container paperboard beingused. An example of sizes and dimensions that could be used would be aliquid gallon container having a width of panel 15, the distance fromthe middle of score line 22 to the middle of score line 23, of 5.531inches and all other panels equal to this except panel 13 which will be.040 of aninch shorter with the additional length of this wall of thecontainer coming from the side seam flap 1"]. The distances fromintersections 51 and 52 to the middle of score line 12 being 2.750inches. The thickness of the container walls being .028 of an inch. Thedistances of the intersections of score lines 35, 36 and 41 with scoreline 12 from score lines 21, 22 and 23 respectively being .125 of aninch and the distance of the intersection of score line 42 with score 12from score line 24 being .187 of an inch.

When the container is constructed and the two intersections 51 and 52meet, there will be a distance of 5.500 inches from the score line 12 on26 to the score line 12 on fiap 28. This distance is .031 of an inchshorter than the across the wall members formed by panel 15 and panels13 and fiap 17. Therefore, the wall members formed by panels 14 and 16terminate at the bottom so as to have no overhang and they will receivesolid support from fiaps 25 and 2 If we had overhang by panels 14 and 16when the completed container was filled and in transit, it would besubject to a constant vibration. The product carried will apply forceson these panels with a downward component on them, which would causethem to continually roll over score 12 attempting to reach the level ofbottom outside surfaces of fiaps 25 and 27 and then roll up intoposition again. This rolling over acion on the score line 12 wouldshortly cause failure in the thin coating surface coating and whenliquids were being carried we would have leakage. The present inventiondiscloses a new and improved bottom structure for an infolded bottomwhich will not permit overhang and can be fabricated on presentlyavailable equipment.

When the bottom is made, the container will be in tubular form as shownin FIG. 7 and mounted on a mandrel. The mandrel will terminate at scoreline 12 and have a fiat end. Therefore, when the bottom closure flapsare closed they are over the end of the mandrel. A pressure pad will acton the container bottom closure flaps to assure proper bonding of thebottom. The pressure pad will have such a contour that it will force thebottom flaps against the mandrel end with uniform pressure. This causespart of flap 25 to move closer to the mandrel end because of side seamflap 17 which is bonded to the inside surface of flap 25 and this changein levels is shown by fold line 25'. For the same reason we have foldline 27' where flap 27 folds over the end of tuck-in flap 31.

While the embodiment of the present invention herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adapted and still be within the spirit of the disclosedinvention.

I claim:

1. A fold-in bottom end closure for a tubular container having,

(a) a body portion defined by four substantially rectangular side wallpanels,

(b) said bottom closure having first and second minor triangular flapsand first and second major flaps,

(c) said minor fiaps being shorter than at least one of the ma or flaps,

((1) said minor triangular flaps having a base connected to theiradjacent wall panel,

(c) said base being shorter than the adjacent wall panel width,

(f) two pair of trapezium fold-back members with each being connected toone of said minor triangular flaps,

(g) each of said trapezium members having one side connected to one legof a minor triangular flap, one side connected to a major flap, one sideconnected to a wall panel and the fourth side not connected,

(11) said major flaps are connected to the remaining two wall panels,

(i) said two minor triangular flaps extend over said end closure,

(j) the two major flaps extend over said end closure being below saidminor flaps,

(k) said trapezium members being folded between the major and minorflaps, and

(I) said wall panels attached to said minor flaps are positioned oversaid major panels and supported by them.

2. A fold-in bottom end closure for a tubular container having,

(a) a body portion defined by four substantially rectangular side wallpanels,

(b) said bottom closure having a pair of minor flaps and a pair of majorflaps,

(c) said minor flaps are connected to alternate wall panels and have atleast three sides,

(0') two pair of trapezium fold-back members each of which are connectedto one minor flap,

(e) the trapezium members have one side connected to one major flap andone side connected to a wall panel,

(f) the total distance of a pair of trapezium members side connected tomajor flaps is less than the width of the Wall panel their mutual minorflap is connected with.

3. A fold-in bottom end closure according to claim 2,

having,

(a) said tubular cross-section being square.

4. A blank for a container of foldable sheet material,

said blank comprising, in combination,

(a) a plurality of Wall panels,

(b) first and second pairs of major and minor bottom closure flapsalternately connected to the wall panels as extensions thereof,

(0) said minor flaps being triangular in shape With its base connectedto its adjacent wall panel,

(:1) said minor flap base having a length less than the Width of theadjacent wall panel, and

(e) two pair of trapezium fold-back members with each member having oneleg connected to a minor flap and one leg connected to a wall panel.

5. A blank for a container according to claim 4, having,

(a) each of said pair of trapezium members having at least one legconnected to a major flap, and

(b) the combined length of two legs of trapezium members connected tothe major flaps being less than the width of the wall panels the saidminor flaps are connected with.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,924,529 Wellman Aug. 29, 1933 2,362,862 Sidebotham Nov. 14, 1944FOREIGN PATENTS 549,784 France Nov. 28, 1922 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 120,333 February 4, 1964 ArthurJ, Seiple It is hereby certified that error appears in the abovenumbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patentshould read as corrected below.

In Figure 7 of the drawings, 7 "31" which designates the tuck-in memberon flap 25 at the right side of the figure should be read as 32 column1, line 19, for "characteristic" read characteristics same line, for"is" read are column 2, line 33, for "flap" read flat line 58, for "35"read 34 line 64, for "33-38" read 34 and 37 same line, for "25" read 27column 3, line 7, for "and" read an line 30, before "that" insert soline 31, before "will" insert they line 43, after "FIG. 1" insert theoverhang is eliminated line 56, for '17, if" read 17. If line 62, after"line" insert 23 line 65, before "bottom" insert the column 4, line 13,before "across" insert distance line 14, for "panels" read panel line26, strike out "coating", first occurrence; column 5, line 20, for"side" read sides Signed and sealed this 30th day of June 1964 (SEAL)Attest:

ERNEST W, SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A FOLD-IN BOTTOM END CLOSURE FOR A TUBULAR CONTAINER HAVING, (A) ABODY PORTION DEFINED BY FOUR SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR SIDE WALL PANELS,(B) SAID BOTTOM CLOSURE HAVING FIRST AND SECOND MINOR TRINAGULAR FLAPSAND FIRST AND SECOND MAJOR FLAPS, (C) SAID MINOR FLAPS BEING SHORTERTHAN AT LEAST ONE OF THE MAJOR FLAPS, (D) SAID MINOR TRIANGULAR FLAPSHAVING A BASE CONNECTED TO THEIR ADJACENT WALL PANEL, (E) SAID BASEBEING SHORTER THAN THE ADJACENT WALL PANEL WIDTH, (F) TWO PAIR OFTRAPEZIUM FOLD-BACK MEMBERS WITH EACH BEING CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAIDMINOR TRIANGULAR FLAPS, (G) EACH OF SAID TRAPEZIUM MEMBERS HAVING ONESIDE CONNECTED TO ONE LEG OF A MINOR TRIANGULAR FLAP, ONE SIDE CONNECTEDTO A MAJOR FLAP, ONE SIDE CONNECTED TO A WALL PANEL AND THE FOURTH SIDENOT CONNECTED, (H) SAID MAJOR FLAPS ARE CONNECTED TO THE REMAINING TWOWALL PANELS, (I) SAID TWO MINOR TRIANGULAR FLAPS EXTEND OVER SAID ENDCLOSURE, (J) THE TWO MAJOR FLAPS EXTEND OVER SAID END CLOSURE BEINGBELOW SAID MINOR FLAPS, (K) SAID TRAPEZIUM MEMBERS BEING FOLDED BETWEENTHE MAJOR AND MINOR FLAPS, AND (L) SAID WALL PANELS ATTACHED TO SAIDMINOR FLAPS ARE POSITIONED OVER SAID MAJOR PANELS AND SUPPORTED BY THEM.